U.S. EPA Photography Exhibit Makes Final Stop on National Tour in S.F.

SAN FRANCISCO – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the San Francisco Public Library’s Wallace Stegner Environmental Center today announce the installation of EPA’s historic “Documerica Returns” photo exhibit at the San Francisco Main Library’s Skylight Gallery. The display’s visit to San Francisco is the final stop in a national tour and will be on view at the library until October 1, 2013.

From its development in 1971, “Documerica” became the United States’ first serious pictorial examination of the environment. The project collected more than 22,000 images, documenting the environmental and human conditions of this country when EPA was starting its mission.

Forty years later, the project was rediscovered with the help of the U.S. National Archives. EPA’s current “State of the Environment” project, launched Earth Day 2011, is an opportunity for the public to participate in a revitalization of Documerica. Since 2011, over 3,000 new images have been submitted to EPA through Flickr, showing differences in environmental conditions years later. The photos provide the public with a visual measurement of collective progress made over the last four decades to accomplish the environmental goals set by Congress.

The Wallace Stegner Environmental Center, located within the San Francisco Main Library, is a resource center for information about the environment. Its goal is to inspire understanding and appreciation of the interconnectedness of life on earth by providing environmental literature and innovative public programs.WHAT: EPA’s “Documerica” Photographic Traveling Exhibit National Tour

WHEN: July 1, 2013 – October 1, 2013 Map and Directions*The EPA photo project will continue accepting submissions through the end of 2013. Public contributions continue to be highlighted by the EPA and the National Archives and will remain a part of the permanent public collection.